St. Pierre: Retirement? Holiday? Tactic?

UFC fighter Georges St. Pierre meets mixed martial arts fans at the Old Strathcona Rack before the Edmonton Rush's season home opener in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. St. Pierre, who is taking a break from the UFC, was in town promoting the lacrosse team. (Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency)

EDMONTON - Georges St. "Rush" Pierre came out of hiding here Saturday and didn't sound like he retired so much as took a little holiday. Or, like he was effectively holding out to force some changes in his sport.

In his first public appearance and first interview since his retirement announcement following his controversial decision victory over Johnny Hendricks at UFC 167, St. Pierre made it sounded more like a great escape.

In Edmonton to appear behind the bench with his nick-namesake, The National LAcrosse League Edmonton Rush, St. Pierre made his first public appearance where one fan was allowed to ask him one question to launch his visit here.

Most of the customers in the packed venue couldn't hear the question, so GSP -- who was late due to airline delays out of Montreal -- repeated it on the P.A..